RI presents 'proof' linking GAM leaders to terrorism

RI presents 'proof' linking GAM leaders to terrorism

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government team sent to Sweden to secure that country's
cooperation in the war against GAM has handed over evidence to
the Swedish government which its claims proves that Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) leaders in Sweden are involved in separatist and
terror acts in Aceh.

In a series of meetings with Swedish government officials on
Tuesday, the Indonesian team, led by President Megawati
Soekarnoputri's Special Envoy Ali Alatas, presented their
evidence to persuade Stockholm to take action against the GAM
leaders.

"In Indonesia's view, these men are leading, instigating and
commanding an armed rebellion in Aceh," Ali said during a joint
press conference after meeting with Swedish foreign affairs
minister Anna Lindh.

He further said that he had handed over "proof of the links
between Free Aceh Movement (GAM) representatives in Sweden and
terrorist acts committed by rebels in (Aceh and) Indonesia."

Lindh said that the Swedish authorities would further study
the evidence before responding to Indonesia's request.

"The authorities will take measures if Swedish laws have been
infringed," she said.

When asked whether legal action would be taken against the
exiled GAM leaders, the minister said that the evidence should be
studied first and stressed that any action against GAM leaders
would be decided on by the authorized agency and not by the
Swedish government.

She insisted, however, that the Swedish government recognized
Indonesia's sovereignty over Aceh.

Alatas' team is the fourth delegation the Indonesian
government has sent to Sweden since 2000 to convince the Swedish
government to take action against the GAM leaders.

GAM leaders who have been living in that country for years and
obtained Swedish citizenship include Hasan Tiro, Zaini Abdullah
and Malik Mahmood. GAM recognizes Tiro as the president of Aceh,
Zaini as foreign minister and Malik as prime minister.

So far, the Swedish government has taken no action against the
exiled GAM leaders as they have done nothing to violate Swedish
law.

Jakarta has been considering downgrading diplomatic ties with
Sweden should the latest mission fail to secure a satisfactory
outcome from Indonesia's point of view.

The mission to Sweden is part of the government's efforts to
crush the separatist movement in the province. The government
imposed martial law and launched a major military offensive there
on May 19.

Entering the fourth week of the offensive, more than 160
rebels and 23 security personnel, including policemen, have been
killed. In addition, some 500 schools have been torched and more
than 22,000 Acehnese civilians forced to flee their villages,
according to latest government figures.

Last Wednesday, a German tourist was shot dead and his wife
injured in Aceh. The couple were camping on a beach in Lhok Gayo,
Teunom District, Aceh Jaya regency.

The government is also considering an attempt to have GAM
included on the United Nations' list of terrorist organizations
under UN Resolution 1373/2000 so as to win the international
community's support for the war against the separatist movement.

On Wednesday, the government team is scheduled to meet with
officials of the Swedish attorney general's office.

A meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson is not yet
on the cards.